This is the game we have all been looking for, now keep it going. No better time to get hot!!!

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After thoroughly dominating the Giants, the Falcons have surely sent a resounding message to the rest of the league: beware of this team in the playoffs.

Great article on espn, read the rest of it and smile;
http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=321216001

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Seattle looks freaking scary.

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I’m back from the game, and all I can say is, “wow, beautiful game.” Took my Dad and my two daughters as a birthday present for him. He was thrilled, “best birthday present ever.”

There were a ton of very glum NY Giant fans there. They had like two plays to cheer for.

I will now shut up about Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Coach Smith, Arthur Blank, Dirk Koetter, and the Falcon logo. (D3, hope everything is ok)

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http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/12/16/ryan-asks-for-more-gives-more-at-right-time-for-falcons/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog

Glad to have Matt Ryan as our QB. What a leader!

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Great story Geo. I’ve taken my son to 4 game this year and had a wonderful time. Go Falcons

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Say what you want about our schedule, but our best games were against he best teams we faced. Redskins, Denver, Cowboys, and Giants were our best played games. I think when the schedule game out, we all had this game circled.

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MB

No we don’t. GB won. They had the same record as the 49ers and now are 10-4.

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Lol

Rodney got told on NBC tonight.

Who are afraid of the Falcons? Lmao!

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niners are 9-3-1. an L puts is in a bye, not HF, but the bye.

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Only a NYTimes reporter could write this: “Their pass rush rarely ventured into Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan’s peripheral vision, let alone his personal space.”

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Yea, we want to pats to roll. A Pats W tightens things up in the NFC west, just makes things a little interesting.

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DHunt – I was impressed with how those guys on Fox took it on the chin like men. I think ESPN would rather suck lemons than admit that any team from Georgia is good.

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Good eve Cage

Hats off for getting ready for this game . To the team to the coaching and to all involved .

Super game !!!!

We might get a bye week tonight .And a no 1 seed next week with a win.

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The way this team Plays at the dome it would be nice to see all roads go threw Atlanta.

NOTE THIS .

Yesterday we were talking about how bad this team has gotten
and we were one and done.

Today the shoe is on a entirely different foot……..GO FALCONS !!!!!!

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Great win. 12-2 headed for the playoffs. Smitt happens.

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1447080-nfl-scores-week-15-most-surprising-results-from-sundays-early-action

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Lol

49ers with the fake punt.

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What is up with 9ers doing the spoon? Anyone know anything about this? Kinda pissin me off.

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@Yo Vince, my Dad and I have great memories of cheering on the Bartkowski-era Falcons together on the color console in the paneled living room of our 70s ranch-style home in Forest Park. 1980 was soooo close to magical. Sharing the love through the generations just makes it that much better, doesn’t it?

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Snelling was a total beast today!

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I’m thrilled with this win. This was a statement that when you come to Atlanta in January, you will go home with a loss. Congratulations to the whole team.

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Dhunt

We won’t know until they try it. If I remember correctly, he ran very well in 2010 when Turner got injured.

How about that Matt Ryan, huh? See what happens when the Oline does their job? He made great throws all day. Also, got HD a few times.

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Tell him, JB!

Snelling has always been a hard runner. I remember when he faught for a touchdown against the Saints last year.

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I wonder if the Matt Ryan haters have anything to say this week? He carries this team, period.

Suck a fat one!

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DHunt, agree to disagree. When MT was hurt and JS stepped up he had much better results than MT. JS had a broken jaw when he ran for the last TD. That, to me, is a player. They’re both good so we just differ on which one is best.

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MB

It should be that way. HD is the 4th best receiver out there. You sure you’re not a closet hater?

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glad to see HD leading in yds today. its about time he was more utilized and gives another aspect that teams need to pay attention too.
oline gets kudos for protection with only 1 sack given up today

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Am I a hater? LOL, I have taken a rash of shit on this blog by having the audacity to suggest that our win against the cards did not mean we were about to lose our 4 games, that our game loss against Carolina was not that big a deal….The one that said, this game will tell us….No, I am the hated.

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No BL, I am not a hater, actually, I am the hated by having the audacity to be the “pollyanna”.

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BL, your a loser. Sorry, you just are.

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MB, time to quit drinking my friend, or doing drugs. BL was correct and no one can understand why you don’t see that. The best scenerio I can think of is to compare you with Ray Edwards. We don’t care how good you think you are but you just don’t fit in here. I’ve seen you braq to another troll that you have been accepted because of your hard head. 90% of your posts during this game have been negative, trying to prove something to the others cagers. All of us here have earned the right to be here because we all contribute to the conversation but you are here, I’m sorry but I lost my train of thought. I do not know why the hell you continue to try to make yourself think you and your opinions are welcome. If this post offends you I am sorry as can be but when you have a cancer you should cut it out. D3, do we have to continue putting up with this sh!t?

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We have seen glimpses of what this team could do all year. Most on this blog said if we ever had a game where we performed well on both sides of the ball, then no one could stop us. I know you have it in you to keep playing at a consistently high level. Let’s dominate our remaining opponents and finish strong going into the playoffs. We want to beat down any opponent who comes into our house.

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Falcon21

I don’t even think the Giants will make the playoffs. That’s just my honest opinion. They can’t stop the run, and they’re going against Ray Rice @ Ravens.

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49ers taking the Spoon’s victory motion.

Lame.

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About 3 weeks ago. I was ready to release DeCoud. Then, 2 more interceptions and today he played the run a LOT better. Good play in every facet of the game. Yes, the Giants can say they played badly, but the Falcons have a habit of making teams look bad. Except for Carolina. Looks like TB has come back to earth = pasted by NO. Carolina is looking substantially better. I think Cam is beginning to care.

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Agree Big Lou, if the Giants don’t get in, ESPN and NFL Network will be crying!

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doesn’t

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I was worried about the chemistry with MR and HD last week. They clicked today. Maybe the extra time MR called for helped with that. Either way, I’m glad to see it.

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Ryan haters can’t say SH!T this week. Came through against one of the NFL’s best.

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Saw Antone Smith get his first career carry today… Though, I could have swore that happened last year. Maybe it was a pass. Saw Cliff Matthews in the game. Mike Cox had a nice catch and run for a 1st.

But the best bench player I saw was Luke McNown in mop up time.

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Damn Pats are gonna win this game. I actually want SF to win. I want the Seahawks as a WC team.

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I’d like Vikings going to GB and Seahawks going to Skins. I think that gives us hosting Hawks and Niners hosting GB. Then we host winner of NiNers and GB (GB) before we go to NOLA and beat…. The Texans. Yep. ESPN loses their mind when the two best teams actually play.

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Holy crap.

49ers responded!

Great game!

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The Falcons may have played it safe in a few games and let teams seem to get back in it, but never have they let a 28 point lead evaporate. But yet tomorrow, the 49er’s will probably still be considered a better team in some idiot’s Power Rankings. Even if SF happens to find a way not to lose this game, they are still hot garbage.

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This is a good game. I was getting ready to get some sleep. They changed my mind.

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Coop – which game was that?

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Coop – at this point most folks have been given the best advice – ignore MB, and his musings border on insanity. Regarding HD, remember, he is the 4th guy in the progression – so, he’ll get less targets. When given the throws, he does deliver. Occasionally has a drop. but, this is a tough game.

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Thanks Coop. I remember that game. When I first read your post I was trying to remember a Falcons comeback against the Oilers. It’s been a long day. Sorry.

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According to bleacher report, Falcons biggest comeback was in 1999 against the Vikings in the NFC championship game. Down 20-7, then 27-17 in the 4th, we won in OT.

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The comeback info kind of surprises me. I would’ve guessed more than 13 points.

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C’mon Dungy. Washington???

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Last post was for Coop.

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I know we’ve had some great games over the years, but this game, beating, shutting out, last years SB champs who embarrased us in the playoffs. This is second to none in a long long time. I wish I could mix it up in a cake mix, bake it and eat it. Thank you Falcons and staff. You made it happen for a lot of hungry folks yesterday.

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I’m sick of ESPN and the NFL Network.

ATL is getting no respect at all, even after crushing the Giants.

Now they are saying it was just a lie game where they just played bad.

I’m sick to my stomach. I really want the Falcons to win the Superbowl now.

As I thought, they also said… well, win in the playoffs.

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Big Lou

It’s all good brother . The Falcons play better when they are not put on the top .Just let them live there denial. We know what we got here in our city.

Have a great day brother . On my way back to the island this morning. Cage be Blessed

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On the second play of the game Samuel had his int. Our left DE just blew up their RT and bashed E Manning. Who was it?

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1443665-50-worst-nfl-head-coaches-of-all-time/page/53

Interesting that the Falcons are represented in several ways.

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http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-york-giants/0ap2000000112579/Falcons-defense-INT

Here is the play, UB. It was SPOOOOOOOOON!

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***FFL***

Congrats LRD and JWW making it to the championship game in the SarahB Cage FFL.

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The way the Falcons played offensively yesterday can’t be overlooked.

And it shouldn’t be overlooked by the coaching staff. The way that everybody seemed to get involved in the offense was what I’ve been clamoring for. I understand we have two stud receivers and an all-time great at TE. But, it’s absurd to suggest that HD can’t contribute in this offense. If anything, he should be getting more looks because he should see favorable coverages and matchups with all the attention going to RW84, JJ11, and TG. Ryan did a great job of spreading the ball around and not locking in on one guy. I think it helps when he has the protection and can actually scan the field. HD had a few big plays, and I would hope that it continues. Keep looking his way 3-4 times a game for a potential big play. It gives defenses more to worry about, and makes it even tougher to matchup.

You had HD getting involved. Mike Cox even caught a ball and made a great play for a 1st down. RW84 – JJ11 – TG all played critical roles. Turner – Quizz – Snelling all got touches and actually ran and caught the football out the backfield effectively.

You gotta utilize everybody.

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[...] News here – Atlanta Falcons: Bird Cage ← City Council, mayor salaries will increase; thousands of Atlantans immediately consider [...]

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Wabe

Yeah, can’t wait for the playoffs. I like your post about HD.

Yet, the Falcons left a lot of points on the field. The Giants had more yards than the Falcons going into the second half. I’m happy about the win, but using Turner is going to hurt the Falcons in the future against stout defenses like the Seahawks/49ers.

Offensive line did a great job, but the RB issue needs to be addressed. Bench Turner!

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Unca’Bob I would not have seen the replay of the interception if you had not posted and if BL had not linked to the video. Don’t use that F5.

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DHunt, well said. There’s never been more truth to the phrase “haters gonna hate”.

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In my excitement, I almost jumped on here a few times yesterday, but decided to just let the game digest and see what I felt/thought about it this morning.

In a nutshell: I’m stunned.

For the last two years, it’s been evident to everyone who pays attention that the weaknesses of the Atlanta Falcons is O-line and D-line. Yesterday, both of these lines dominated their opponent. And in the case of the O-line, against a team that’s been lauded as having the best front four in football.

There’s not enough accolades to go around for MR2 and his skill players, but I believe we’ve all anticipated their potential. I’m just stunned that the Falcons controlled the LOS so effectively throughout the game. I just didn’t anticipate that happening — against the Giants, no less.

I think the numerous draws and screens set the stage for the O-line to succeed. The run game was more effective because the Giants’ D was kept off-balance by the unpredictability of the play-calling (prior to garbage time). Also, they attacked the edge more than the middle. (Thought it kind of strange that they used MT33 on the edges and sent JR32 into the middle.)

Any time a team pitches a shutout in the NFL, it’s noteworthy. To have done it against the Giants is huge. Let’s see what the Birds can do with the momentum.

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Big Lou

December 17th, 2012
10:04 am
Somebody

“Offensive line did a great job, but the RB issue needs to be addressed. Bench Turner!”

??????

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I was hoping to see some improvement on Ryan’s fakes. Improvement doesn’t describe it at all. Ryan was amazing on his fakes. He said he could see the field better. The O line played better. The play calls were better. I’m LOVING THE CHEMISTRY!

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Arno

Exactly. Ryan was impressive on his fakes, even though the Giants secondary is horrid.

I’ll reserve further judgements to see if it becomes a habit.

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Just read Peter King’s MMQB…and while I said that I don’t care anymore what they say anymore and will just enjoy, this was an exception to the rule….on the not caring part, his “fine fifteen” has New England, Denver, San Francisco and Houston ahead of us. Whatever, I know we can hang with those teams and beat them on any Sunday, Super or otherwise. New England has no D, they use their offense as a weapon, and while that works great against some teams, elite QBs have been OWNED by the Falcons this season. Denver, no comment. WE know the truth there, and haven’t forgotten the score. (You know, head-to.head is USUALLY pretty telling…aw, whatever ) San Fran is pretty good, probably the scariest of the four, but I know we can take them. Houston is a lot like Atlanta three years ago…can’t seem to beat the teams they really, really need to beat. We’d beat them too. Like I said, I don’t care what he says, I have my opinions, and they are shiny and bright in Atlanta’s favor. And the 12-2 record backs me up on that.

What I DO care about is this diarrhea:

“On Sunday morning, Cruz wrote on Twitter: “Today’s game is for you Jack.”

On one shoe, Cruz wrote in black Sharpie: “Jack Pinto My Hero.” On the other, “RIP Jack Pinto.

Falcons 34, Giants 0. Cruz wishes he, and the team, could have played better.”

“There is no way to segue to football without seeming totally crass, so forgive me. Before I do, praise to the Giants, in Atlanta, and the Jets tonight, in Nashville, for remembering Sandy Hook Elementary School on their helmets. And to the Patriots, New England’s team, for the Newtown helmet decals (right), and for sending up 26 flares honoring the school victims during a prolonged moment of silence before their game with the 49ers.”

Peter, we know you’re a North-East homer. But really, this isn’t the platform to say that these teams care more and honor victims more than any of the other teams in this league, or any other human being on this earth. This isn’t a measuring contest, to see who cares the most. Appropriately, if you want to bring this in, write that ALL of the players and teams and fans are mourning. Because they are. I’m going to chalk this up to being emotional, and are proud that these teams went ahead and put decals on their helmets. But really. That doesn’t make them “more aware” or “more active” or more anything. It doesn’t need to be singled out like this. I read this and felt like my team was the bad guy in a badly written script or something , for not letting Cruz fulfill his promise. That shouldn’t be happening, or sound like this. You lost some serious respect points, what of them that I had for you for your football knowledge and writing. The narrow mindedness is just too much.

Out for now.

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alex, you make sure the Giants pay admission at the doors of the SuperDome to watch us win the Lombardi.

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I love it when my team smacks down an inferior opponent, like the reigning Super Bowl champs!

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All rationality aside, I would like to issue a Get Out of Jail Free card to Michael Turner. That juke he pulled which left a guy sniffing Dome grass was a thing of joy.

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Arno, using Turner and Juke in the same sentence takes some balls. We should ban you from the cage! LOLLOLOLOLOLOL…………..

Sarcasm?

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http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/

Amazing how the Packers must suddenly be the NFC’s best after beating a hapless, imploding Chicago squad. I mean, two things….

1) The Falcons just WHOOOPED the Giants and shut them out. Ummm…is this the same Green Bay team that got beat down by the Giants 38-10 a mere three weeks ago?

2) San Franciso just beat New England, who has been beating everybody (tore the Texans up, and THAT was supposed to be the best team in the NFL). Ummm…is this the same Green Bay team that lost to the 49ers to start the season?

The Falcons – 12-2.

The 49ers – 10-3.

The Packers – 10-4.

ESPN is SO full of defecation it is unbelievable.

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ESPN needs to stay out of the national tragedy stuff. What they should do is honor it and then leave it alone. People need a distraction for times like these. Entertainment, and yes sports, is one of those distractions.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/8753444/victor-cruz-new-york-giants-play-heavy-hearts-atlanta-falcons

Stuff like this makes me lose all kinds of respect for people like Ian O’Connor.

The sickest part of all of this is that it’s not about the tragedy in Connecticut. No, that tragedy is used as a vehicle to:

1) Take several cheap shots at the Falcons.

What does what Cruz tried to do for a family of a deceased child have to do with a helmet-to-helmet hit by Chris Hope? What does it have to do with some interview in which Roddy White said something about Victor Cruz that wasn’t flattering?

2) Try to explain away the loss and color it as a superior win in realiy and in comparison to what happened on the field.

Oh, the Giants tried so hard to win for this child and this school and those families, but their hearts were too heavy, they just couldn’t do it. Just like they tried to win one for the Hurricane Sandy victims, but again, they just felt so noble and so martyred and they just couldn’t do on the field what they needed to do because they cared so much more about the victims of families.

This is by far the saddest, sickest, most sordid thing I’ve read….topping all the drivel from the Bounty Gate scandal… by a long shot .

Ian O’Connor did not HONOR those families and those victims. He make a mockery of them. This had nothing to do with who beat whom on the football field. That is for a different article, a sports-only article.

If you want to write about a tragedy you don’t understand nor can you relate to, then write about what players, coaches, team staff did OFF the field. Not what they did ON it.

The Giants got the hell beat out of them. There is no honor in relating that to what they MEANT to do. I also don’t buy the whole “they weren’t playing that game to get into the playoffs, to win their division, to do anything football related.”

Oh really? So are we going to write articles about how every team that loses during Breast Cancer Awareness can’t concentrate?

Write about the tragedy and show how HUMANS are relating to HUMANS, how PEOPLE are trying to help and comfort PEOPLE.

Stop making it about football, because it is NOT about football, and football is NOT about this tragedy. The two are irretrievably separate.

I’m glad I’m not within reach of this a$$hole. I’m not mad about him taking a shot at my team as much as I am that he used one of the most awful things to happen anywhere in the U.S. to do it with. Shameful. Just pure, plain shameful.

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At first I didn’t think it was a JUKE at all, but a computer generated digital replacement of Turner. As long as they keep putting him out there– I’m glad to see him go with some spark.

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Big Ray – “ESPN needs to stay out of the national tragedy stuff. What they should do is honor it and then leave it alone. People need a distraction for times like these. Entertainment, and yes sports, is one of those distractions.”

Exactly!

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Gotta give the man his due. Yes, it was only possible because of the play of the OL and the good play calling, but Turner looked good at times yesterday. It should be his final season as a Falcon, but the guy can still contribute when utilized properly. (And yes, I noticed some TWP’s.)

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Big Ray,

Idiots are out there and unfortunitly they get to vote and reproduce.

“Illegitimi non carborundum”. It is a mock-Latin aphorism meaning “Don’t let the bastards grind you down”.

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[...] Atlanta Falcons: Birds Steamroll Giants Fans have been waiting a long time for a statement game, and boy was it worth the wait. The Falcons utterly dominated every aspect of the game against the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. It was one of the best and most complete games … Read more on Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

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BR — Can’t say I’m surprised at anything that comes out of MTV Sports also known as ESPN. I am a little taken aback by the readiness that they feel the need to try and use or include this terrible tragedy in sports at all. By the way, if Victor Cruz or any other athlete didn’t feel up to par before the game, then they shouldn’t have played. Finally, there’s plenty of other players besides Cruz that got their @ss whipped on Sunday as well.

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Before they game the Giants said they needed the game more than the Falcons did. They intended to come to the dome for the W. After the game we find out they were too grieved to play their best? Every single player on the Giants team would be sick to their stomach to put out such a lame line. Ian O’Whatever dissed the Giants as much as the Falcons.

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Is there such thing as a narcissistic idiot?

Sorry, my inside voice is talking on the outside A LOT today.

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Actually,

That was meant for Big Ray.

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MB

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Your attempt to defend yourself with a real life ‘accolade’ over the Internet shows me a lot about you. *Golf Clap*

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BL, no reason for you to attack me yesterday. None. Then you use the “I speak for everyone” card. Sorry, go look at the thread.

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MB – son, you are painfully delusional. and as BR stated, a profound narcissist. Sadly for you, your BS is blatant. BTW, you are not all that intelligent – except in your own little universe – but, that is OK because everybody know you there. Thankfully, other than here, I don’t have to have any contact with your sorry butt.

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Now, continue to consider yesterday’s game – it was an amazing display of good football. The Giants NEEDED the victory to prevent Washington and Dallas from becoming tied with them. For whatever reason, the entire team came out flat and played poorly. I’d say it was the Falcon influence. Excellent game all around. And yes, I hope folks realize that going up tempo – which ryan has excelled at for four years now, does have a negative impact on your oppositions defense. Our best players for that type of offensive dynamic are Snelling and Quizz. Both can block, both can catch, and both are quicker to the hole with more lateral agility than Mike Turner. I also believe I complimented the O line play. I really wish the playoffs started now. We simply need to keep our guys healthy.

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Regarding Harry Douglas, schematically it would be wise to got to him right of the bat, get the defense leaning toward him, then hitting any of our other big 3 guys. If done right – and the Giants game we did it right – our offense is dynamic and unstoppable. Folks also forget – we held SD to less than a TD – that was the first time in 150 games that SD failed to score a TD. I suspect Nolan works on things against teams it does not matter if we win against. Against other top 25% teams, he really schemes to disrupt the opposition. Both Mannings, Rivers, Brees AND we knocked RG3 out of the game – made AZ change their QB’s. Our defense is pretty dominant. We have a very, very good – possibly excellent game. Which is why I’m giving the Carolina game a mulligan.

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If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it truly make a sound?

If a blowhard posts and we don’t respond, does he truly even exist?

Something to ponder on.

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“You had HD getting involved. Mike Cox even caught a ball and made a great play for a 1st down. RW84 – JJ11 – TG all played critical roles. Turner – Quizz – Snelling all got touches and actually ran and caught the football out the backfield effectively.

You gotta utilize everybody.” – Wabe

It is my enjoy the win day off so not gonna get too deep or embattled but glad you picked up on this. Atlanta fans should be quite familiar with a pitcher named Tom Glavine, a guy who couldn’t overpower you but thru location and MIXING up his pitches became successful. Our RB backfield is not an overpowering flamethrowing unit and should use the same philosphy…which we finally did a better job of yesterday. It wasn’t great and the stats aren’t sexy but we did keep the Vagiants off balance and most importantly showed our coaches can learn. Throwing 84 mph Turner batting practice fastballs with no movement down the center off the plate non-stop was becoming more than an indictment against our coaches. Yesterday was like a minor leaguer getting called up and while not dominant showed he could locate and change speeds, a good sign that with more practice a new Glavine could emerge in the playoffs.

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First, what a great win for the Falcons and the fans. Yesterday was perfection on a TV screen compared to the nerves I had going in to that game. Boy did we all need that. A statement game indeed, although no one on any of the New York friendly sports channels had the stomach to admit it. I found it comical how the video readers couldn’t get past the highlights fast enough before moving onto either the Redskins’ or the Cowboys’ highlights. The silence is deafening, as usual. 12-2, baby!

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a legend in his own mind.

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I can’t see any bad NFL teams out there. Not a one.

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“Ken S – or was is the last Screen Pass? should feel exceptionally rewarded, they thought that MR2’s completion % would increase quite a bit if we opted for more screen passes. ” – Paddy O

Has to be KS, that SP guy never gets anything right!

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POST FINISHED!

You can refresh and head to the top or just hit this link.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-fans/2012/12/16/atlanta-falcons-birds-steamroll-giants/

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I’ll go back to my original statement, I am having one helleva time watching this team. Frustrating at times, sure, but I always had this belief that they were “sandbagging” a bit (as Mark Bradley put it so eloquently) and they were trying their best to get a full game together. Well, now they have that template, they know what it looks like. THAT, may friends, is more than you can say about any Falcons team since 1998. They now know exactly what it looks like, the blue-print so-to-say to beat the living snot out of ANY opponent in the NFL. And it’s just in time for the big dance. Perfect. Timing.

As I said, Loving this season, watching the haters reel and spit is just icing on the cake.

GO FALCONS!

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Only thing that keeps Gonzo from 1000 yards is using HD as the go to guy to give other D coordinators something to look at.

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SP – well said.

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“SP – well said.” – BR

The “that SP guy never gets anything right!” part? Thats just me bringing a different perspective, mind melding with and learning my opponents vulnerable parts…someones got to do it right ?

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6) Just a one game surge, or are the Falcons finally clicking?
D3’s crux question! Dan Reeves was quoted last week about how much he enjoyed the IDENTITY of his superbowl team. Our Falcons have been claiming to have an identity, always talking about their high level of confidence and high standards, but it seemed more like a locker room thing. We kept wondering what the H that identity was. Then the GAME happened. We saw it! Now that they have proved to themselves that they can bring that identity from the locker room to the field, their aggregate confidence in various phases will harden into concrete. I think we have the makings of a juggernaut.

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And BL, if your statement that you are ignoring me means you will not hurl unprovoked insults like you did at 9:37 last night, I am all for it.

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21, some one is impersonating you at 6:12.

From what I’ve read it seems like Walker came alive in a big way.

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LOL JB, you don’t hear me saying good things about our o-line often!

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I don’t know if any one has read this, but it’s a very interesting USA wrote quoting Roddy White, titled “Falcons Aren’t Afraid of Anyone Anymore.”

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/12/17/week-15-atlanta-falcons-rout-new-york-giants-roddy-white-says-falcons-arent-afraid-of-anyone-anymore/1774977/

Very interesting on the psyche of the Falcons previously compared to now.

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Started every game 06-10 except 2007 when he was injured…only started 11 games that year.

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Hope came back from Injury to go the the Pro Bowl in 08. Has 133 tackles in 2010, and was the “ring leader” of the titans secondary and held off season workouts. “A relentless worker in the weightroom”…Where does TD find these guys?

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DePlane – to steal your phrase “the Birds forced NY to lay a Giant Egg in the Dome”. I love it!

Zoomie – Quizz is actually quite effective running between the tackles. He’s small, which makes him hard to find amongst all the behemoths, he’s quick, has good vision and makes good moves. He does not have the straight line speed that would allow him to turn the corner in the NFL on a consistent basis, however.

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Paddy O – As usual, you have had some excellent posts today. If this source is accurate, 5 teams have had 3 thousand yard receivers (including TE) in one season.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_there_ever_three_1000_Yard_Wide_Receivers_in_the_same_team_in_NFL

Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or inclination to verify the accuracy of this information.

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DePlane (8:22) – LOL

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Don’t have a prob with quizz up the middle either, he ain’t no flyweight, finds that little hole to fall forward. I liked the 4ers V formation run last night, it was an earth mover for sure, has CK not dropped the ball.

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You can choose to ignore rather than confront if you want to.

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Time @ 8:34, don’t waste you time brother.

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Good advice Time, I take he bait, this place is a little highschoolish, hence JB at 8:34, like your not capable of forming your one opinion….

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Awesome win, totally dominating in every way. The Giants should have had some points but they made some questionable decisions and our Defence rose to the occasion. I was impressed with the O-line play and really hope it can continue. I think some of the O-line credit goes to the mix of RB’s and play calling. That sh*t bout Skip and Stephen was hilarious. Anybody know why we play on Saturday or am I just misinformed?

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We play Saturday because there are no college games. You are correct.

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21, I did not check, but you are correct, there are a couple of minor bowl games, but nothing of national appeal. The NFL generally takes Saturday slots in the weeks between the end of the regular season, and the big bowl season. But I sand corrected.

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Haven’t seen this mentioned in the Cage, yet. I found it interesting:

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/12/17/haters-roundup-national-view-on-falcons-has-changed/

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OK, time to read a book for awhile. Later Cage…

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Playing on Saturday cause no Monday Night Football. We are the Monday Night Football, just on Saturday due to Christmas Eve.

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Yea, hope to see a lot of HD, Anton, Snelling, get the opportunities to make plays, and give DCs something to think about.

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Big Ray this one is for you.

My nephew told me he listened to an interview with S Weatherspoon last week and Weatherspoon was talking about his father.

Sean calls his father Big Spoon and Big Spoon calls Sean Little Spoon. Also, Sean uses Papa Spoon too.

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Geo,

I’ve been raving about Snelling since last year. The man is a beast when given an opportunity. As D3 noted, the Giants were running their first team defense while Snelling was running behind our 2nd team offensive line. The man is strong and runs hard.

Also as someone else wrote, the punt returner has to go. We have Antone Smith and Chris Owens (fast and very fast respectively) and Tim Toone (who has no fear) that we should give a shot. It certainly cannot get any worse and in the playoffs, may cost us if we don’t fix it NOW!!!

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Time is NOW…no problem. You’re welcome.

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Found that ESPN hater article saying the Falcons are frauds after the Giants smack down.

Here it is:

“After a season full of nail-biters, the Atlanta Falcons finally got a blowout win Sunday, stomping the New York Giants 34-0. They outgained the Giants in total offense (394 to 256), first downs (22 to 10) and also forced more turnovers (three to zero). It was the first time this year the Falcons have thoroughly outplayed a quality opponent. It was not, however, a “statement” win. It was just one game in a long season, and a clear outlier at that, not a new standard of excellence.

Atlanta was outside the top 10 last week in Football Outsiders’ rankings, and one game out of 14 won’t change that too much. Even if you’re not a believer in Football Outsiders’ methods, recent history is full of so-called “statement” games that didn’t say much about either team when all was said and done.

The Falcons stand at 12-2 after Sunday’s win, but Football Outsiders’ system estimates that they “should” have won only about eight of those games, with four extra victories coming through luck in the form of soft scheduling, random turnovers or other factors. That’s rarefied air when it comes to overachievement. Since 1991, 11 other teams have finished with winning records and at least three more actual wins than estimated wins. A quick look back at those overachievers paints an ominous picture for this year’s Falcons:

Overachieving teams, 1991-2011
Year Team Actual Wins Estimated Wins Difference Fate Playoff wins 1992 IND 9 5.5 3.5 Missed Playoffs 0 1993 DET 10 7.0 3.0 Lost wild-card game 0 1996 MIN 9 5.7 3.3 Lost wild-card game 0 1998 ARI 9 5.8 3.2 Lost divisional round 1 1999 IND 13 9.5 3.5 Lost divisional round 0 2001 CHI 13 9.6 3.4 Lost divisional round 0 2002 GB 12 9.0 3.0 Lost wild-card game 0 2003 CAR 11 7.7 3.3 Lost Super Bowl 3 2003 STL 12 8.2 3.8 Lost divisional round 0 2004 ATL 11 7.7 3.3 Lost conference championship 1 2006 SEA 9 5.4 3.6 Lost divisional round 1

As the table shows, only two of these 11 teams reached the conference title game and only two others won even one playoff game. The other seven either missed the playoffs outright or went one-and-done, including some teams whose first game came at home after a first-round bye. The most recent team to suffer that fate: the 2003 St. Louis Rams, who went 12-4 but lost their first playoff game at home to Carolina. That Carolina team, it’s worth noting, also overachieved, and was far and away the most successful of the bunch once the playoffs started.

Why are the Falcons so low in FO’s rankings? Though they’ve lost only two games, they’ve been in severe danger of losing many others. Seven of their wins have come by eight points or fewer, and many of those have come over bottom-dwellers such as Oakland, Philadelphia and Arizona. They should be scolded, not celebrated, for a three-point comeback win at home over the lowly Raiders, a team that has lost to the Dolphins, Broncos, Ravens, Saints and Bengals by at least 20 points apiece.

Atlanta has been particularly weak in the running game, on both sides of the ball. The Falcons have averaged only 3.7 yards per carry on their own rushes (29th in the league), but given up 4.9 yards per carry on opponents’ runs (30th).

Some people reading this (many of them, no doubt, residing in the 404 area code) will insist that the Falcons have the best record in the NFC, and that means they’re the best team in the NFC, fancy computer numbers be damned. Even those readers, though, should take caution and not get overly excited by one game. Recent history is littered with teams that made “statements” by beating playoff-bound teams in December, then fell flat on their face in the playoffs:

• In 2008, the Steelers were the victims of a “statement” win, losing 31-14 to Tennessee in Week 16. The Titans finished 13-3 but lost their first playoff game to Baltimore. The Steelers finished 12-4 and won the Super Bowl.

• The 2010 Patriots won 14 games, including victories over playoff-bound Jets and Bears teams in back-to-back weeks by a combined score of 81-10. They then lost their first playoff game, at home, to the Jets.

• Last year, a pair of NFC teams made “statement” December wins before going up in smoke. The Saints crushed Atlanta 45-16 on their way to a 13-3 mark, and the 49ers manhandled Pittsburgh and also went 13-3. The Saints beat the Lions in the postseason, but were promptly beaten by the 49ers, who in turn were beaten by the Giants.

Games like that make Atlanta’s win Sunday seem much less relevant. It was the best game the Falcons have played this year, but that, by definition, makes it the fluke, not the standard. It was an important win for the Falcons because it brought them one step closer to clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But it would be a mistake to think they’re significantly better now than they were one week ago.”

What a bunch of c!cksuckers….

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Posting again to be on top of new page:

Espn blowhard article saying Falcons are frauds:

After a season full of nail-biters, the Atlanta Falcons finally got a blowout win Sunday, stomping the New York Giants 34-0. They outgained the Giants in total offense (394 to 256), first downs (22 to 10) and also forced more turnovers (three to zero). It was the first time this year the Falcons have thoroughly outplayed a quality opponent. It was not, however, a “statement” win. It was just one game in a long season, and a clear outlier at that, not a new standard of excellence.

Atlanta was outside the top 10 last week in Football Outsiders’ rankings, and one game out of 14 won’t change that too much. Even if you’re not a believer in Football Outsiders’ methods, recent history is full of so-called “statement” games that didn’t say much about either team when all was said and done.

The Falcons stand at 12-2 after Sunday’s win, but Football Outsiders’ system estimates that they “should” have won only about eight of those games, with four extra victories coming through luck in the form of soft scheduling, random turnovers or other factors. That’s rarefied air when it comes to overachievement. Since 1991, 11 other teams have finished with winning records and at least three more actual wins than estimated wins. A quick look back at those overachievers paints an ominous picture for this year’s Falcons:

Overachieving teams, 1991-2011
Year Team Actual Wins Estimated Wins Difference Fate Playoff wins 1992 IND 9 5.5 3.5 Missed Playoffs 0 1993 DET 10 7.0 3.0 Lost wild-card game 0 1996 MIN 9 5.7 3.3 Lost wild-card game 0 1998 ARI 9 5.8 3.2 Lost divisional round 1 1999 IND 13 9.5 3.5 Lost divisional round 0 2001 CHI 13 9.6 3.4 Lost divisional round 0 2002 GB 12 9.0 3.0 Lost wild-card game 0 2003 CAR 11 7.7 3.3 Lost Super Bowl 3 2003 STL 12 8.2 3.8 Lost divisional round 0 2004 ATL 11 7.7 3.3 Lost conference championship 1 2006 SEA 9 5.4 3.6 Lost divisional round 1

As the table shows, only two of these 11 teams reached the conference title game and only two others won even one playoff game. The other seven either missed the playoffs outright or went one-and-done, including some teams whose first game came at home after a first-round bye. The most recent team to suffer that fate: the 2003 St. Louis Rams, who went 12-4 but lost their first playoff game at home to Carolina. That Carolina team, it’s worth noting, also overachieved, and was far and away the most successful of the bunch once the playoffs started.

Why are the Falcons so low in FO’s rankings? Though they’ve lost only two games, they’ve been in severe danger of losing many others. Seven of their wins have come by eight points or fewer, and many of those have come over bottom-dwellers such as Oakland, Philadelphia and Arizona. They should be scolded, not celebrated, for a three-point comeback win at home over the lowly Raiders, a team that has lost to the Dolphins, Broncos, Ravens, Saints and Bengals by at least 20 points apiece.

Atlanta has been particularly weak in the running game, on both sides of the ball. The Falcons have averaged only 3.7 yards per carry on their own rushes (29th in the league), but given up 4.9 yards per carry on opponents’ runs (30th).

Some people reading this (many of them, no doubt, residing in the 404 area code) will insist that the Falcons have the best record in the NFC, and that means they’re the best team in the NFC, fancy computer numbers be damned. Even those readers, though, should take caution and not get overly excited by one game. Recent history is littered with teams that made “statements” by beating playoff-bound teams in December, then fell flat on their face in the playoffs:

• In 2008, the Steelers were the victims of a “statement” win, losing 31-14 to Tennessee in Week 16. The Titans finished 13-3 but lost their first playoff game to Baltimore. The Steelers finished 12-4 and won the Super Bowl.

• The 2010 Patriots won 14 games, including victories over playoff-bound Jets and Bears teams in back-to-back weeks by a combined score of 81-10. They then lost their first playoff game, at home, to the Jets.

• Last year, a pair of NFC teams made “statement” December wins before going up in smoke. The Saints crushed Atlanta 45-16 on their way to a 13-3 mark, and the 49ers manhandled Pittsburgh and also went 13-3. The Saints beat the Lions in the postseason, but were promptly beaten by the 49ers, who in turn were beaten by the Giants.

Games like that make Atlanta’s win Sunday seem much less relevant. It was the best game the Falcons have played this year, but that, by definition, makes it the fluke, not the standard. It was an important win for the Falcons because it brought them one step closer to clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But it would be a mistake to think they’re significantly better now than they were one week ago.

Mike Smith needs to tape these on the lockeroom doors for motivation.

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Big Lou, I hear ya, but I’m taking Asante’s view: the haters don’t bother him a bit. He loves proving them wrong. That’s what they did Sunday and that’s what they will continue to do (especially if the Oline continues to step up).

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What’s left of Schwartz:

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2012/12/motown_review_detroit_lions_co_1.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+detroit-lions+%28Detroit+Lions+-+MLive.com%29

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Big Lou, agree the scheme was key. That’s what I’ve been hoping the braintrust would figure out, since we don’t have an elite line, and we can’t just keep asking Ryan to save our ass, that’s too much for any individual. But it is never just one (scheme) or the other (performance). Scheme can’t make someone play great, only put them in a position to excel. No doubt, coaching stepped up big time last week.

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[...] Atlanta Falcons: Birds Steamroll Giants Fans have been waiting a long time for a statement game, & boy was it worth the wait. The Falcons utterly dominated every aspect of the game against the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants (New York). It was one of the best & most complete games … Read more on Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

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We’ll get no respect until we win in the playoffs. This unfortunate fact is no surprise to any in the Cage.

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BL: problem is, we have manhandled quite a few good teams – SD, Denver, smacked KC, but they stink this year. The shut out was a distinct thing of beauty, and the 3 points we held SD too was also. I’d recommend folks stop listening the ESPN. They are the sports world version of MSNBC. Pure BS artists with lousy anchors.

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It is fairly interesting – ever since that Lions player mocked Tebow’s prayer stance, the Lions have spiraled out of control and into last place. The Jets, who picked up Tebow on a publicity stunt and have since relegated him to the bench without using him much at all, are now suffering embarassingly inept losses, and the team appears to have quit. The lord gives, and the lord takes away.

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As a person with red clay in my veins who resides in New England which has a lot of Falcon admirers I don’t care what anybody says about my Birdz in my heart I know we can beat anybody

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Here’s what I want to see…….

As the same as you all, I want to see the Falcons use this as a true springboard to the playoffs. Yes, it will be tough bringing the same energy to playing two teams that are done for the year, especially Detroit who is 4-10, but they have to find a way to do it. This could be the true catalyst for a deep playoff run. If we play like we did on Sunday, we can beat anyone, anywhere.

Also, they shouldn’t need any motivation knowing full well and good that a win in Detroit locks up home-field advantage for us for the entire playoffs, where we are really tough to beat. Sure, Aaron Rodgers torched our @sses to pieces, but that was BVG’s defense, not Master Mike Nolan’s.

Will we go out dominate every single game from here on out, including the playoffs? Doubtful. But I hope we see the same energy we saw vs. the Giants. We know we won’t see total destruction and shutouts, but I want to see the offense, particularly, come out with the same creativity, energy, and determination to get all playmakers involved. I think that was one of the best reasons we had a great day on offense, which was getting all guys involved early, instead of just settling on our standard Gonzo and Roddy stop routes and occasional Julio deep throw with the occasional screen mixed in every once in a blue moon. That was the most unpredictable and creative I’ve seen the offense look all season, and I think a large part of it is due to the determined mandate to get as many involved early as possible.

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D3, if I were Smitty I’d have the media department record all talking heads saying they Falcons aren’t this and they aren’t that and have it playing in the locker room every day until we reach the Superbowl. If they don’t get fired up from hearing that garbage constantly, nothing can fire them up to bring their best.

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I hate to say it, but if the Falcons win the Super Bowl 34-0, that won’t be enough to win the respect we think we’re due. Where there’s ill will, there’s a way.

Historically, nobody remembers who LOST the Super Bowl. Only a Falcons SB championship could change that. It’s all about Peyton and Cam and RG3 and Brees and blah-blah-blah…

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Brilliant, Zoomie.

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Let the haters hate…

I saw exactly what I wanted to see on Sunday. A complete game. And now, I want to see it again Saturday night. They have to start stringing these together now. The reason why I think it’s a big deal is because we haven’t see that ‘complete game’ out of these Falcons, at least not one of this caliber. When they play like this on both sides of the ball, there isn’t a team in the league that can beat em’.

The main thing at this point is to continue to string them together. Don’t take your foot off the gas. Momentum is huge at this point, and the Falcons gotta continue to build on this past weekend in the remaining two seasons.

Regarding the respect thing, I can get it from the fans perspective. But, guys like TG and RW84 gotta keep it in the locker room at this point. They should know at this point that regular season success ain’t gonna get them any respect after the past postseason failures. Use that chip on your shoulder to stay motivated and then showcase it come playoff time.

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Zoomie, you surely missed your calling. Then again, I don’t think the D’heads make much.

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What up Cage

I hope that everybody has had a good week so far and you
all and your Families have revived Blessings from above.

Great reads guy’s ….D3 you hit the nail on the head brother .Springboard to the playoffs’
Sports writers.I don’t care what any of them say . I for one am proud of this team .

Heading home maybe tomorrow night ‘ I hope ‘ but maybe not until Thursday. I look foreword to the Birds to get that home field no 1 seed Saturday night. GET ER DONE .!!!!!!

Ya’ll ‘ Keep it Coming ‘ and be Blessed . I love to read all of your post..

GO FALCONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Zoomie

December 18th, 2012
4:51 pm

LMAO.

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Nytol.

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Zoomie, great post!!

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phil

Seattle is good but those Hawks will not beat ours in our nest

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D3 – I love ya brother but I met disagree with one thing. I do want total domination from here out and thru the playoffs. I want Smitty to tell his team it’s time to be historic. Lets shut out the Lions and the Bucs. Then lets obliterate the playoffs and tell ESPN to go eff themselves.

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I am worried about the threat of a mobile QB against our defense…

IMO, it’s looking more and more like we’ll wind up drawing Seattle in the 1st round.

As of now, they’re the 5 seed, and they’ll likely finish with the 5 seed, regardless of whether they win this weekend or not.

If they win, they’d need SF to lose the following week against the Cardinals to take the division. They’ll likely draw the winner of the NFC East [Cowboys or Redskins] in round 1. I think they can take either one of them. And, I’d say GB or SF will take whoever comes in at the 6 spot [it'd be interesting if the Giants found a way in as a wildcard]. If the Giants get in at the 6, it’s possible they could be our 1st round matchup.

With all of that said, I think Mike Nolan’s defenses have proven to be great against your protypical pocket passers. But, Cam Newton’s had field days against us twice now. It’s definitely more challenging when you have a mobile QB. So much attention is directed his way, and then you have the threat of a guy like Marshawn Lynch as well.

Seattle would be a tough draw in the opening round. But, I like our chances. It’d be a tough game, without a doubt. Their defense has the make-up to give us problems. But, if we put together a gameplan that gets the ball out of Ryan’s hands quick with a lot of screen passes implemented into the gameplan, I think we can find ways to get the ball down the field.

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BL – true, cam is a hulk, and quick. we’ve done a good job on other hot RB’s. I’m thinking carolina is on an upswing. Not sure about Freeman with TB. Threw way too many picks. You throw picks and win, all is forgiven.

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Enter your comments here

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Guys, if we lose to Seattle (even though they’ve had a great turnaround) or the Redskins with a rookie QB AT HOME, then we belong nowhere close to the Super Bowl. Getting torched by a red hot Aaron Rodgers AT HOME once is one thing, but even something close to that AGAIN, and by any rookie QB, or really any QB for that matter, is absolutely and positively UNACCEPTABLE!

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Coop — I hear ya. That’s exactly what I want as well. But I’m a little worried our guys will come out flat on Saturday night after the huge win over the Giants. I surely hope that’s not what I see, but as we all know, Smitty isn’t the most consistent in blowing teams out that we should dominate. I would say that we should go out and dominate the Lions, get home field advantage, and maybe just play the key / core guys a half against the Bucs. I know there’s different philosophies regarding that, but you just never know in an NFL game vs. a rival. But then there’s the concern of not keeping the momentum going.

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Agree with your premise D3.

But, it’s not really the fact that he’s a rookie, it’s more of his athleticism that worries me. But, we’ll see. I’m confident, regardless of who we draw, but we’re more suited to stop a prototypical pocket passer.

How we play this Saturday will be somewhat telling about where this team is headed. Do they gain steam and continue to play in another gear? If so, the league will recognize. Or do they go back down a gear and play the Lions the way we’ve been playing everybody else this season? I think how they play this week will show a lot about the focus that this team has. They have a great opportunity to really bottle up that confidence and carry it through into the postseason.

They ‘caught another gear’ this past weekend. Now, keep it there.

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Seattle has irked the football gods by running up the scores on opponents, where as Smitty took the knee on the 5yd line when he could have scored one more time against the Giants.,
Karma would be on our side.

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For the 1st time this season the Falcons finally put together a compete gm where the OFF and DEF played 4quarters of solid football. On top of that, they did it against the reigning SB champs, who the so called experts were predicting would use this gm to start another SB run like they did last yr.

However, rather than look at this gm as the possible start of a SB run for the Falcons, they decided to say the cause of the blowout was poor play by the Giants, rather than a dominating performance by the Falcons. The Falcon players, coaches, and fans now know just how good this team can be when both OFF and DEF are clicking.

Even with the dominant performance against the Giants, changes have to be made to our OL, because we need to develop far more consistency with our run and pass blocking. Our current OL has shown it’s capable of protecting MRyan, just not on a consistent basis.

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GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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My game ball go to the hole team for having a complete game against Giants.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Here is the article (ESPN INSIDER) on why Matt Ryan should win the MVP award:

Over the past few years, the Associated Press MVP award process has been a lot like the Heisman Trophy. The field of contenders is generally very deep early on, but by the time the season is winding down it becomes quite clear who is going to win the honor.

This year is not following that pattern, as the field of qualified MVP candidates has not seen as much thinning as in past years. At this point there are at least three players (Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson) who look as if they have a very strong shot at being named the victor in this contest. As worthy as that trio of elite candidates is, there is one other player whose candidacy should be deemed as just as strong, if not stronger, than those three.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is having the type of exceptional campaign that would place him at the pinnacle of MVP consideration in most seasons, yet certain elements seem to working against him in garnering that goal.

Before detailing those elements, it is helpful to realize just how dominant Ryan has been this year.
He certainly holds up in the standard passing categories, as Ryan ranks second in the league in completion percentage (68.5) and fifth in passing yards (4,202), yards per attempt (7.8) and touchdown passes (27).

As impressive as those totals are, an even more remarkable achievement is Ryan’s No. 1 rank in the Pass EPA category of ESPN’s Total QBR metric.

Pass EPA gauges the number of clutch-weighted expected points a quarterback adds on plays with pass attempts, so a case can be made that no other QB has been as valuable on aerials as Ryan has been this year.

Ryan also shares some valuable Total QBR real estate with Brady in that they are the only two quarterbacks this season to post a Total QBR mark of 95 or higher in three games.

Those figures should establish Ryan as one of the front-runners for this award and his candidacy starts to look even stronger when putting those aforementioned elements into perspective.

These include:

“Clutch performance”

This is an area where Brady typically excels, something that is evidenced by his effort in driving the Patriots to nearly come back from a 28-point deficit against the San Francisco 49ers this past week.
That type of high-profile exhibit justly earns plenty of MVP attention, but no quarterback has been better at leading his team to late game victories this year than Ryan.

According to pro-football-reference.com, Ryan’s six game-winning drives tie him with Andrew Luck for the league lead in that category (game-winning drives being defined as an offensive scoring drive in the fourth quarter or overtime that puts the winning team ahead for the last time).

“History should not matter”

One of the reasons clutch performance means so much in Ryan’s case is that his history of postseason letdowns is a huge roadblock to his achieving the status of an upper-tier MVP candidate.
This should not be the case and a past MVP voting process affords us a perfect example of how this type of thing should be handled.
When Peyton Manning won this award following the 2003 season, he still had a long history of coming up short in big games.
Manning was 0-3 in the NFL playoffs (his playoff games that year came after the MVP votes were tallied), 0-1 in collegiate national championship games, 1-0 in SEC title games and 0-4 against his college team’s most important rival at that time (the Florida Gators).

Add those records up and Manning was 1-8 in what could arguably be called the biggest games of his football career up to that point. This abysmal won-loss mark could have kept voters from casting their ballots for him, but they did the right thing and overlooked his history on the way to granting Manning a share of that MVP honor.

“Don’t give extra credit for injuries”

Manning and Peterson have both shown tremendous grit in overcoming injuries. As much credit as one might be tempted to give those two for this particular achievement, the MVP award is not the correct forum through which to do that. To do so would be to penalize Brady, Ryan and any of the other potential MVP candidates for not having overcome injuries.

The proper place to reward those injury-specific circumstances is via the Comeback Player of the Year Award, an honor which Manning and Peterson should both share at season’s end.
Excellence over a full season should get more credit than excellence over a shorter period of time
As great of a season as Peterson has had this year, the truth of the matter is that it really has been a tale of two seasons.

Peterson’s first six weeks looked like this:
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville: 17 carries, 84 yards, two touchdowns
Week 2 at Indianapolis: 16 carries, 60 yards, zero touchdowns
Week 3 vs. San Francisco: 25 carries, 86 yards, zero touchdowns
Week 4 at Detroit: 21 carries, 102 yards, zero touchdowns
Week 5 at Tennessee: 17 carries, 88 yards, zero touchdowns
Week 6 at Washington: 17 carries, 79 yards, zero touchdowns

Tally those numbers up and it equals 113 carries for 499 yards and two touchdowns in six games. Add those to the 20 receptions for 139 yards Peterson posted in that time frame and it reveals a set of statistics that are a step or two below what one expects from an MVP award winner.
Peterson is rightfully getting ample credit for the incredible roll he has been on in his proverbial second season, but for six weeks he was a very good, but not great back. That fact should not be simply forgotten in the excitement to honor Peterson’s achievements from late October through the end of the season.

“Having the best record in the NFL should count for something”

If all other things are roughly equal, one can justifiably say that the MVP award should go to the best player on the best team in the league.

Each of these MVP contenders has a strong statistical case and plays on a team with a winning record, so they are in that sense roughly equal. Since Ryan is the only one of this group who can make the claim for being on a team that is tied for the best record in the NFL, that tiebreaker should give him the inside track for this award.

Article by KC Joyner

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Over the past 25 years, Nolan has coached for 9 different pro teams. I will be surprised if he jumps so soon from a pretty good gig in ATL. I’m also thinking he will want to see what he can do with a couple of drafts under his belt.

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Big Lou @ 1:07, you must have ESP. I saw that this morning and wished an “insider” would copy/paste it so us “outsiders” could read it. A very good article which makes a lot of sense.

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On Nolan, depends if he sees what everyone else sees – he is in the Wade Phillips role – great DC, lousy HC. If Nolan has accepted his DC greatness and is satisfied with it, and we pay him well enough, he should stay. BUT, if MM got hired, Nolan will get calls if we win – and as TRUTH said, I’d be willing to trade Nolan for a WIN.

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“Turner will put nowhere near the numbers like that versus Seattle or the 49ers.” — BL

This is exactly what I was thinking while reading D3’s 1:10 PM. Against the 49ers, Turner will be more like a “Sta-Stuft Marshmallow Man.” Gonna have to get creative against that front 7.

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Falcons are grabbing a new normal by the throat and are not letting go. No way they loose this incredible opportunity to define the team!

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Speaking of Buffalo and screens and running backs, I’d really like to see C.J. Spiller in a Falcon uni.

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That said, I think Smitty is fed the F up with let-downs.

We run over the Lions and the Bucs.

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Spooooooon!

Thanks for the heads up, Wabe.

Love that kid.

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Couple notes on the Lions:

1. Weak rushing game. That plays in Mike Nolan’s hands. I expect to see some INTs, exotic blitzes, and a scheme to lock down Calvin Johnson.

2. Balanced overall defense. Another test for the Falcon’s offensive line on establishing the run and pass protecting. I’m very interested in the schemes the OC is drawing up to counter Suh.

3. Short week. Who will benefits? Who will be focused?

4. Penalties. One of the most undisciplined teams(Lions) versus the most(Falcons). How will that play out on the field?

Time will tell, but it should be a decent game Saturday night.

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I’m not one to wish injury on players…but, if Turner tweeks his hammy just enough to miss one of the remaining games, the coaching staff has know choice but move Antoine up the depth chart, probably the only way we see Antoine in anything that resembles getting some burn in our RB rotation.

Thing about Turner getting a hamstring pull is unlikely…he’s built like my Aunt Bessie, big rear end…and hugh thighs. Tuner and Aunt Bessie’s Hamstrings are buried so deep in their thighs… making it next to impossible to pull one. We can always holdout hope, he misses the Team Charter.

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I personally don’t want to see this Smith kid fumbling the ball in some crucial spot….

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With ya Phil on smith, the screen that Ryan missed him by 5 yards was on him, our MVP QB, who has the most accurate screen % in the NFL misses a receiver by 5 yards on a dump off? Ryan threw to a spot, Smith was not near it, could have been a diseaster. I hope he gets some garbage time the next few weeks just to see what he can do,, but we have come too far to pin our hopes on an unproven 4th stringer in the playoffs. Smitty don’t panic, or play desperate.

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Biggest concern(s) for Sat;
1) Suh knowing he is out of the playoffs and that we are in the playoff cheapshots one of our starters ended their season. And if it Ryan, then our year is over
2) Roddy White running his mouth and getting into it with the Lions D leading back to choice #1 above
3) Willie Mo is back in the line up, and goes out trying to prove he is the sheriff in town and injures himself again and making him less than probable for the play offs.
4) We blow out the Lions so badly that Smitty pulls Ryan beginning of the 3rd qrtr, throwing my FFL championship win this weekend out the window.

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Hope Nolan sticks around, I don’t seem him leaving unless he gets a HC position…..and after his last go round, I am not sure teams will be lining up…..plus, if we play deep into the post season, the timing won’t be great either, teams usually like to have their HCs in place before the Super Bowl is over, so maybe we will have that going for us….. Defensive genus’ do not have a great track record as the main guy…..But if MM can get a HC job…..

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I think some team would hire Nolan for HC in a heartbeat but I don’t think Mr. Blank will let him get away, he will pay him well to keep him.

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21, who was talking about Nolan?

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Phil ,

It was me…hated that article. Ian O’Connor can go nail his pecker to a burning wall.

I understand what you’re saying on Antone Smith. The one time he got in for a play in the last bazillion games….he missed the pass. Might have been overthrown, maybe not.

Yet….he’s got speed. If he fumbles in practice a lot, then I get it…he sits…but then why’s he even on the squad if he’s that crappy….

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I don’t know, Nolan was pretty much a disaster in San Fran, how do you explain how a new coach comes in, and with the same nucleus of players, turns your 18-37 team into the best in the NFL?
But as I said, hopefully he is too busy to interview during hiring season…

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My understanding is Smith is a pretty good special teams player, and for all the flack Smitty gets about our punt returner, (and seemingly rightfully so), the guy just seems to know what he is doing.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/17404/falcons-no-2-in-special-teams

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/156227-antone-smith-the-heir-to-brian-westrooks-throne

Interesting write up on Smith, hopefully he gets some extended time with the ball in his hands over the next few weeks.

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trademark — Man, I know. Every once in awhile I’ll take a look at Pat Y over at ESPN, but by and large, I have shut off all national media elite expert F–kfaces going on 2.5 years. Ever since the playoff game vs. the Packers in the Dome, I’ve tuned out all of the MTV Sports, including NFL (Propaganda) Network, ESPN (Entertainment Tonight Sports), and all talk radio. I found that it was making me insane. I realized I already had enough stress in my life between job, bills, parenting, etc. that I sure as the hell didn’t want something that I supposedly loved being ruined buy a bunch of ass-clown, knuckle-dragging, sh!theels. I found that it allowed me to truly enjoy the games more because I was able to tune out all the noise pollution. Why the frack did I care what Warren Sapp, Jamie Dukes, or any other of these f@cksticks think? I have my own theories, but we’ll never get the respect we deserve short of winning a Super Bowl, and even then, they’ll find a way to minimize it.

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The lesson learned from watching Atlanta’s defense is that each play is its own unique entity — trying to pick out tendencies from Nolan’s fronts and personnel groupings is borderline fruitless.
From: http://nfl.si.com/2012/12/19/break-it-down-atlantas-defense-does-it-again/?sct=uk_t11_a7

A good breakdown of the D.

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I understand D3’s revulsion at media disdain and his decision to tune it out. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but I sort of enjoy watching those guys have to position themselves to bestow faint praise upon us– I see what anguish it causes them. A writer from Pro Football Weekly for example:
“That punch never really knocked the New Yorkers cold. Oddly, the Giants stood there and took it. Like that silly scene in Hooper, where Burt Reynolds hauls back and clocks Terry Bradshaw on the chin, and Bradshaw just stares back and smiles and spits out a tooth.” Ha ha– the writer is in agony! Please Falcons have mercy on me– please don’t be any good!
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/12/19/little-behind-falcons-ko-punch

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…..Steelers in 2005, so on and so on. Really, the only teams to have a first round bye and end up winning the Super Bowl in recent history is the Steelers in 2008 and the sAINTS in 2009. That doesn’t necessarily mean much, but it does suggest that the teams that are playing the best football MOST RECENTLY are the ones that do the best in the playoffs. On the flip side, there are a ton of examples of teams that have had byes only to get punched out early in the playoffs, the 15-1 Packers from last year and of course us from 2010. It really is a tough call. D@mned if you do, and d@mned if you don’t.

I will say this, though. Smitty better have learned something from his playoff losses, especially from 2010 when we had home-field. I remember reading about their practices and how it seemed that they were completely in shorts and t-shirts the whole time. Maybe that’s normal and perhaps it;s a little old-school, especially since I have no concept about what kind of beating these guys take for 6 months. But I would err on the side of making sure my team was physical and ready to go. I know it’s a fine line between going too hard and risking injury and staying competitive, but I think you gotta do something. Maybe a full 11-on-11 or something like that, offense vs. defense. I just know that if you bake cakes and design birthday cards the way we seemed to be doing in 2010, than you’re setting up for an @-whipping, playing a team that just got through playing for their playoff lives.

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Good read Arno. Finally an article that doesn’t provide a lot of excuses for the Giants.

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Oops,”…much more confident…”

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I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see us wrap up Saturday, and see a game 17 backfield of exclusively Snelling and Smith the S&S express.

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By smart backups I mean to include Dom Davis. Flashing that guy’s card before the playoffs could give our opponents a little extra dome fear.

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BR – you seen a lot of that in law enforcement? desperate, married guys nailing their pecker to a burning wall? too funny. 21 – somebody prior to me mentioned NOlan going if we win the SB – i believe it was TRUTH. and, I agreed – i’d trade NOlan for a SB win!!!

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as a guy from NJ, I’ve tried telling folks that liberalism – with its deluded reality, arrogance and self absorption – infects everything these guys do. I had a subscription to the Sporting News, it stopped printing a magazine midway through. the can’t admit ineptitude, and are animated by hubris. The Giants have gotten super lucky – cinderella team twice in a 5 year span. Also, most of the NE folks have a distinct, palpable bias against GA. Most like due to old TV footage, and the accent folks have at trailer parks after a tornado comes through. but, GA believe in personal responsbility and caveat emptor – you buy a bad thing, it is all on you. REquires citizens to have operating brains and some street smarts. And, it is a whole lot cheaper gov’t. NJ has a state budget of 33 billion – with LESS people than GA. GA has about an 18 billion budget, down from a high of 21 billion. Guess how much more expensive YOUR life would be if you were funding double the cost of state gov’t? AND, NJ is very small compared to GA.

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ever wonder why we don’t try snelling as a kick returner? he can catch. he can run. tough.

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Good article on Spoon by Pat Y…….

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/43275/the-new-leader-of-the-atlanta-falcons

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Believe it or not, I have found a M Turner supporter.

http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/should_the_falcons_release_michael_turner_after_2012/12448015

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The Argument that JJ and RW84 take yards away is the ultimate catch 22, for the point is valid, but when you have two guys like that, it means they draw coverage off each other, so the Calvin Johnson types have to put up number in double/triple coverage all season long. Especially when you put TG up there….gonna be hard to get all 3 in the pro bowl, especially when you consider the love everyone in the national media has for the birds. Not that I don’t think they are all worthy.

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As far as pro bowl:

Ryan
RW
TG
Baker ? I doubt it, but he has been our most consistent OL….Just goes to show.

One the D,
Spoon
Nichalous?
Moore?
Decoup?
Asante?

Really, other than Spoon, I don’t see anyone on the D how is slam dunk….Just goes to show how good Nolan is…..It would be a sin to put this man in an HC position, he is an artist and is where he really belongs, and the world is a better place because of it.

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Actually though, most of those in front of Abe in sacks are LBs, so….he is 3rd for DTs in sacks, with two coming from Carolina….so Abe probably get in, but now I am not so sure about Spoon, his does not have the sacks, and everyone loves the sack…..He missed a few games too….

Maybe nobody from our D makes the pro bowl….Amazing…but probably Abe….

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Arno,

Thanks for changing the subject. We should be busy that week anyhow.

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SuhOwnsYourSoul is so passionate about his o-line, think we should make him an honorary Cager? They are blaming their o-line for Stafford not setting his feet, relying on arm strength, and throwing same wayward passes.

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Arno, I can relate SuhOwnsYourSoul to something RW said whereas, “We used to be afraid of other teams but we’re not afraid of anybody now.” I can relate to that but I think SuhOwns is still living in our past footprints.

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21, the Robinson dude is pretty good also. I’m not sure about the last name but it’s Travian(?)
I truly hope TD and MS have learned from their previous mistakes in the playoffs. We have been labeled as regular season winners and playoff losers. I have heard “TTIN”‘S handle mentioned many times during the Falcons interviews. The time is NOW.

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Wabe, we will win Saturday night. I’m going to go with Roddy’s idea, “It doesn’t matter who we play”.
I’m all in, deal the cards.

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Coop,
Amen!

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JB @ 9:19, agree man, dude seems to have talent, problem is we seem to have many talented players on the bench. Maybe Smith is finally starting to see it and hopefully we can finally change that label.

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Quizz and Snelling Playing in Saturday game.

Turner might sit.

It would be a good idea.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Morning Cage

Hilton Head Is a beautiful place but there is no place like home . I love our Georgia and I love our Falcons. Man its good to be home at least for a couple of weeks

SO FAR I AM STILL HERE !!!!!! NOT THE END OF TIME YET !!!
was hoping it would not end until after the game Saturday night . LOL

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Falcons 31 Lions 13!!!!

Think WINS!!!

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Wings, those numbers sound good. Falcons won’t be screwing around these last couple of games.

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Holiday Greetings Cage Family! — The time is getting close both for our Birds hitting the playoffs and also the Holiday season. It’s hard to manufacture stuff to talk about when you have such a dominating performance like we did vs. the Giants, so I’ll go with a few topics here…….

Talking about the Pro Bowl a little yesterday and we know that Ryan, Gonzo, and at least one of our WRs are locks. The defense gets a little trickier, because like I said yesterday, who knows what criteria goes into it. I will say that the trend has been to reward the teams with the best records with many considerations when push comes to shove. That being said……….

Looking at the safeties, believe it or not, it appears that Thomas DeCoud is almost a lock to go. In terms of stats, here’s the list for the NFC

Stevie Brown – Giants – 69 tackles – 8 passes defensed – 7 INTs- 2 forced fumbles
Thomas DeCoud – 64 tackles – 1 sack – 8 passes defensed – 6 INTs – 0 forced fumbles
Kerry Rhodes – Cardinals – 54 tackles – 1 sack – 11 passes defensed – 4 INT – 2 FF
William Moore – 75 tackles – 1 sack – 8 passes defensed – 4 INTs – 2 FF

That’s right, and those numbers for Willy Mo are including him missing 2-3 games. The next two down the list really aren’t even close in terms of sacks, tackles, or INTs. Unless they intentionally go out of their way to not include both Falcons safeties, it looks like both DeCoud and Willy Mo will be nominated for the Pro Bowl. Rightly so. They’ve been the biggest turnaround for our defense, IMO.

In terms of pure defensive ends, not including OLB/DE hybrids in a 3-4, it also appears that Abe should be getting the nod for Pro Bowl as well. Only Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson have more sacks then him and in terms of being valuable to a team, there’s probably not as many as valuable as Abe is to our defense. Hard to imagine him not being picked to be honest.

Even though I think Spoon should get the nod because he’s the heart and soul of our D, I don’t think he will because he’s WAY down the list on things that matter to voters, like tackles and sacks. My assumption is that they care mostly about sacks and Spoon only has 3, to go along with 1 interception and around 80 tackles or so. I think he should go, but I think Aldon Smith, Clay Matthews, and Demarcus Ware will take that. They do take 5 I think, and I think one slot should be reserved for the more traditional OLB in a 4-3, rather than the OLB’s in a 3-4 that get all the gaudy numbers.

Asante Samuel? I think he’s made a huge difference this year, but in terms of interceptions and pure stats, it doesn’t look that way.

In terms of OL, the only two I could see making it would be Justin Blalock or Sam Baker (kind of ironic isn’t it?). I have no clue whatsoever what criteria they use to take OL. I would think they would go with either who is the most successful in terms of run-blocking, which would sure as the Hades not be any of ours.

Another criteria I would assume would be going with whoever the best passing team is, and that would be us. The only two that would even be considered would be Sam Baker or Justin Blalock. Honestly, I’d have to say that Baker probably deserves more than Blalock. By and large, Baker has done a pretty darn good job this year. Blalock has been the rock for awhile, but he’s had his own clunkers too up the middle.

Some inside the Falcons organization are lobbying McClure for Pro Bowl. Ummm NO! Yes, he’s the veteran and the guy who “leads” the line and held them all together, but he’s also one of the biggest weaknesses on the OL overall, right next to Clabo. Clabo’s probably been the weakest link, but McClure’s not far behind.

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SOMEBODY — If they are in fact doing that and playing the pre-playoff chess you talked about, than I would be immensely impressed and also have to eat a ton of crow. Maybe they really have been “saving” some stuff for the playoffs. Maybe that was the lessons that Smitty talked about learning from the previous 3 playoff losses. I still have my doubts on that, but if that’s what they’re up to, than they are way more advanced than I thought. Perhaps that’s why we stormed out of the gate, got a sizeable lead in the NFC for home-field, and they started throttling some of their play calls and designs to be more vanilla, having the luxury of having a little lead in the NFC. Again, I still have my doubts, but it would be awesome to see that be the truth. Would really love to see us go with minimal Turner and Quizz get 50% of the carries, Snelling get 30% of the carries, and Antone get the other 20%. Quizz – 16 touches; Snelling 11 touches; A-Smith – 6 touches. I would LOVE to see that. We can use the excuse of “saving Turner for the playoffs!”

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Happy Firday Cage! Here’s to wrapping things up tomorrow. I have a feeling we’ll see the Seahawks for our first game in the playoffs.

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If the Falcons CS is playing possum with play calls, then we’re not supposed to know. I finally got to the point where I just don’t care. It’s useless speculation to me. All that matters is whether or not they are truly prepared and have what it takes to get us some postseason success.

It’s really not even worth the inevitable “I told you so” refrain that is going to happen whether we succeed or fail. Because either way, somebody will be able to say “I told you so” as if they’re saying it actually made it true, or validated it, or made it happen.

Anyway, here’s to the Mayans being wrong and the Lions (and Suh) getting their arses kicked.

I say put Lamar Holmes in the game if we get an early lead or and let Suh have a taste of that big boy. Holmes could uses some seasoning.

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DeCoud has played very well – except for possibly 3 to 5 games ago where he disappeared, started body tackling and again taking bad routes. but, the last 3 games, he cleaned that up – making nice leg tackles and being productive. I meant to comment on this earlier – for anybody who remembers Bo Jackson, and was watching the Raider game where he injured his hip, they were saying right after he would be back in 2 weeks – which at the time, considering how oddly his hip/pelvis had buckled, I doubted. I relate this to RB3’s injury. That was one terrible knee movement. He may come back, but I would not be surprised if his mobility is hampered or he leaves the game after reinjuring that knee. RB3 needs to learn to avoid contact. The bigger defensive guys like to haul off and hammer guys like him. Especially if he had made them look bad earlier in the game. Cam can get away with it – he’s a mountain.

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http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/1446496-atlanta-falcons-robert-mcclain-has-shocked-fans-seized-his-opportunity

Nice article on McClain

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Thinking ahead to the playoffs, I am starting to think of match-ups and what teams we would fair better against.

Believe it or not, I feel that Greenbay would be great pull for us, just because they are horrible at running the ball and rely heavily in passing. ATL defense is first in the league in not allowing passing touchdowns and top three in interceptions.

Redskins have a mobile QB and a good running back, but I would rather them come out of the east for the rookie factor. Not to mention their defense is horrid.

I wouldn’t mind the Bears squeaking in either. Their offense is seriously bad… and their defense is old/on the decline.

Seahawks seem like a more likely pull, but we have advantages in that they have a rookie QB(Mike Nolan would have a field day). They have a dominant defense, and would help ATL better prepare for the 49ers. I am not too sure if they can play in ATL well, and I would be confident in the Falcons getting the W. They still haven’t proved they can beat the very good teams(refs helped them versus Greenbay, and Patriots gave them the game earlier in the year).

The only team that a worry about is the 49ers, which the Falcons will not see until the NFC championship. Now that team is the complete package. They can do the long plays, run the ball, play on the road, play hard hitting defense, great special teams and control the line of scrimmage.

It seems to me that the only way to beat them is to go no huddle right off the bat to negate the pass rush, since their secondary is extremely suspect. Turner should be used as pass protector ONLY. Mike Nolan will have something drawn up for Kap, but it’s always been an issue for our defense to stop the run. I feel Kap is more of a threat than Wilson due to his size/strength, though.

You have to beat the best to be the best, so it really doesn’t matter. If the Falcons can get the running game going, then they will be hard to stop in the playoffs.

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Why is it I still have a hard time moving past the Lions?

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Of course you’re right, Unca’ Bob. I only look beyond because the Falcons HAVE to beat the Lions. Unthinkable that we would squander this opportunity to build on last Sunday’s statement game. The significance of that game — THE GAME — reverberates through Falcons history. We HAVE to beat Detroit.

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Not you Arno.

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So Calvin Johnson needs 182 yards to break Rice’s single season record. Will there be even more pressure to get CJ the ball? Will Schwartz use breaking the record as a decoy? Seems unlikely since they have no other proven receivers. Maybe it gets into Stafford’s head and becomes a distraction. One thing’s sure– the TV guys will go on and on about it.

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Falcons don’t need to wait until the last game to clinch the no 1 seed . The time is now with the lions.If we lose this game then to me it proves we ant ready yet for the SB

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We also got to remember that this is the same Lions team that reportedly told the refs to get the cart when Matt Ryan was knocked out of the game for a couple plays.

I doubt they are taking this team lightly.

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Suh is my only worry, they have nothing to play for except getting the CJ the record, we all know what Suh is out to do!

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- Philly
- Giants

Good Performances: 28.57% (4/14)

Leaves 4 games as soso: 28.57%

JMHO, Were not as bad as we played against CAR 2 weeks ago and history shows us were not as good as last week against the Giants. So where is this team? We all hope the latter and tomm. night will help shape the future for this team heading into the playoffs.

But as Unca’ Bob and myself and many others, this team has been wildly inconsistent and we all hope they turned the corner last week. Hope is good but some may need to rewatch some games this yr.

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falcon21 – well said.

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falcon21,

We have won close games this season and we show a great tenacity. It just seems to me the “D” shows up one game and the “O” stays home and vice-versa. Tonight should/could be a statement game. The lions are no slouch.

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Unca’ Bob

I hope that they are getting it together now . What a great time in the season for this team to get real hot . I think tonight will answer that question

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falcon21,
How are you doing as now a little time has passed? I lost my grandmother who lived next door on Christmas Eve when I was a kid, and I always think of her at Christmas.

I think we have to give the players a lot of credit for the wins. Sometimes, I think the players have won in despite of not having a full array of tools by the coaching staff – mainly HC.

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Wings, doing well my friend, thank you for asking. Had the same thing happen to me many years ago on Christmas Eve. Also agree with your last paragraph.

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Great day for a game .I just wish it would get here already.

Wings & Falcon 21
In 1991 My Dad was kept alive threw Christmas Day . The day after he was let go and went on to meet his Maker . Has not been a Christmas go by that I don’t think a lot about him.Great Man.

He was Big on Sports but his game was Baseball . Did not matter who played he truly loved to watch the game.

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Birdman, I know he will be in your heart on Tuesday.

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http://www.nfl.com/videos/atlanta-falcons/0ap2000000114637/Do-Falcons-need-home-field-advantage

http://www.nfl.com/videos/atlanta-falcons/0ap2000000114360/Playbook-Falcons-vs-Lions

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Big Ray

Christmas is almost here, buddy! Good luck at work and rest up on some grub Monday.

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JWW, Dont you want Ryan to throw 4-5 TD’s and maybee run 1 in?
lol, good luck to both of you, just a TADDDDDDD jealous!!!!!!!

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In an interview this morning, Coach M Smith said, “The key to winning tonight’s game is to establish the running game, and we are going to come out and do it”. He said something to the effect he liked those runs and short passes that resulted in a third and short.

That means he is happy with the three yard runs.

Lord help us!!

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Chris Carter is the only guy Resonable on the set(Ditka is okay). Like the comments from Steve Young, as well.

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Little worried about Suh, he tends to go crazy in the national spotlight. Just hope Ryan comes out healthy and with all the screens and draws they had in play against vagiants, sure it will be ok. But one illegal late hit or concoose and were foobared in playoffs.

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Get the bye tonight and put it in the bank– but I don’t care about that. I DO want to see major traction from the Giants win.

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Wings,

From day one in the NFL, run the ball and stop the run. Last week we ran the ball and kept one of the best D-lines in football off our QB. We run the football it keeps the D from pinning their ears back. It also helps to get a lead, but, running the ball is important.

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I hope and pray all our men stay healthy tonight . And I hope for a win and get this home field in there pockets. That way next week maybe let the starters start the game then take out the ones who need the rest and healing.

GO FALCONS !!!!!!!

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“In an interview this morning, Coach M Smith said, “The key to winning tonight’s game is to establish the running game, and we are going to come out and do it”. He said something to the effect he liked those runs and short passes that resulted in a third and short.

That means he is happy with the three yard runs.

Lord help us!!” – Wings

Smitty and his messing with things is the only thing that worries me about our team anymore. I have to give credit for finally switching to some Walsh style tactics last week tho, just hope he doesn’t get into trying to force the old ways again.
In a more light hearted vein, I got a rather strong sign from the “other side”. I guess the bearded ones got lonely but suffice to say I think we win this one. I am not a shaman master however so the full depth of the totemic vision eludes me, could be a good sign for the post season tho . I am just happy I didn’t have to go to the hospital with a large bird of prey embedded in my noggin.

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Tee it up!!

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Willie Mo out again. Chris Hope is a baller and has good closing speed. I look for the Falcons to get after Stafford and confuse him tonight. Rise up and take your #1 Seed Falcons!!!

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Was all set to complain about “Turner to the Wall” when he gets extra yards for a first down on a dump-off pass…of all things.

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This coach is retarded. Why run the ball?

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FUMBLE!

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Man on man Calvin Johnson…

Mile Nolan gambled and lost.

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Dunta, great tackler but succs at pass protection…going in 2 yrs!!!

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GOOOOOO DEEEEEEEP!!!!

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Man on man Calvin Johnson…

Mile Nolan gambled and lost.

Yeah…Megatron is too damn good for that…

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Roddyyyyyy…TD!

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Great catch by RW84, but the announcer was wrong. They got torched by MR2.

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Big Lou ,

Not sure about that. Grimes may not be the same. Without his vertical, he’s not Optimus. This will determine whether he stays in the ATL or not, I’m thinking. Well, that and Miko….

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RB fell over and no false start. Lol

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We should just call DRob “Kamikaze”…

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Ryan’s been pretty good running when he chooses to.

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Big Lou,

Oh believe me, I remember Grimes’ play against Megatron last year. Off the chain…I know it took some folks by surprise.

I looked back, and you’re dead on about the RB’s movement causing a change in the defensive stance.

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Quizz….what a player.

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Damn….he did get a bit of help from McClure, but Peter Konz went right at Suh…put him down, too.

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Roddy again! Birds making it look easy.

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Need a three and out by the defense. Let’s go D!

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Spoon is in on every play….

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Great pressure on 3rd down. Excellent package.

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I love this Nolan D, we gotta find a way to keep this man!!!

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Woah. Konz got destroyed.

It didn’t help that we wasted a run play on Turner.

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